(26 Oct 1995) Russian/Nat
Russian Defence Minister Pavel Grachev says President Yeltsin's sudden illness has come as a great surprise.
Grachev was speaking at the U-S Pentagon near Washington, where he's been holding talks with his American counterpart, William Perry.
The two discussed the thorny issue of Russian involvement in a Bosnian peacekeeping force.
The Russian Defence Minister had scheduled a meeting with his US counterpart to try to hash out the details of what part Russian troops will play in a NATO led peace keeping mission in Bosnia.
It appears President Yeltsin has agreed to go along with the NATO plan to enforce a peace in the region, but has reservations about giving control of his troops to NATO high command.
A possible compromise would be to allow Russian troops to police areas not covered by NATO, although President Clinton is reluctant to agree to such a compromise. The two military chiefs were to work out other options, but news of President Yeltsin's failing health took precedence:
SOUNDBITE Russian:
"Of course I am worried by the situation. I was taken greatly by surprise. I'd had a meeting with him just before leaving for the United States. We'd had a long conversation and he said he felt fine. He was probably keeping the extent of his illness from me and the exhaustion from which he was suffering. I cannot tell you any more details about the illness, because I only know as much as you."
SUPERCAPTION General Pavel Grachev, Russian Defence Minister
With the President in hospital, a dangerous power vacuum may be appearing. General Grachev indicated Yeltsin had authorised him to come to an agreement on how the Russian Army could coexist with NATO in Bosnia.
SOUNDBITE Russian:
" President Yeltsin has said that the details will be worked out by the two Defence Ministers. A strategy has been worked out. Russian forces will take part in the mission. As far as what tasks we will perform under what auspices and how we will work together, I will discussing all that with Secretary Perry. Of course it's a very complicated issue, you yourself understand, but I think we'll reach an understanding."
SUPERCAPTION General Pavel Grachev, Russian Defence Minister
Russia understands NATO will take charge in Bosnia with or without their participation.
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